Punjab

Jalandhar, Oct 31 (UNI) Defending champions Punjab&Sind bank prevailed over Air India Mumbai by 2-1 in the last pool A match to enter the semi-finals of the 24th Indian Oil Surjit Hockey Tournament.

The winners will meet Indian Oil in the semi-final on November 1.

Air India put pressure on Punjab&Sind Bank in the initial stage of the game. They forced two penalty corners but Bank's goalkeeper stood firm. In the 25th minute, Dilbagh Singh of Air India made an attack from right flank. His powerful shot after kissing the goal bar went out. After that Bank mounted pressure.

They earned a penalty corner in the 32nd minute of play when drag flicker Vikramjit Singh converted it into a goal(1-0).

Punjab and Sind Bank led 1-0 in the first half.

In the 42nd minute, Air India once again failed to utilise penalty corner, but in the very next minute, the Bank team converted their second penalty corner again through Vikramjit Singh (2-0). In the dying minutes, Len Ayappa of Air India scored the only goal for Air India (1-2).